Page 105 of Cut up
“And what about you, Danielle? When do you leave for Sydney?” I ask, redirecting the attention to her.
“Um…” she glances at Tyler. “I’m planning for end of March. My sister is due in July, so I want to take my time traveling down the coast before I get to Sydney.”
“Where do you want to go?” I ask.
“Well, first I want to stop by some small coastal towns a couple of hours south of here. Areas like Tannum Sands and Agnes Waters. Thebeaches are beautiful, and there’s lots of camping. There’s still part of the Great Barrier Reef nearby on the islands around there that I’d love to snorkel at. Maybe stop at Hervey Bay and do some whale watching. Then of course, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast—I really want to learn to surf so I can try the waves down there. I want to see the coast, and the mountains too—the hinterlands are meant to be stunning. Then definitely Byron Bay, Yamba, Newcastle, Bondi… and Ihaveto visit Hunter Valley.”
It all sounds so fun. I’ve been to some of those places.
“I’m from Gold Coast, Mum and Dad still live there if you need somewhere to stay along the way. And I can surf, I can teach you if you want?” Tyler offers happily.
“You sure?” He nods in response. “That would be great,” she smiles.
“I’m going to miss you so much when you go Danielle.” I reach my hand to hers.
“Me too Babes. But don’t worry. I will be back. I love this place. Maybe I could convince Freya to move here when she has the baby.” She says as she shrugs her shoulders.
“I would love that if you came back, even just to visit.”
“There’s plenty of room here or at the farm if you need a place to stay. And Freya too.” Lucas offers.
“I have my place too. Which should be done soon as well. I was thinking of putting it up for rent while I travel.” Tyler says and Danielle quickly swivels her head to him.
“You’re going traveling too?”
“That was always my plan. Itchy feet, can’t stay in one place for too long.” He says as he wiggles his feet out from under the table.
“Gross, put your feet away Ty!” Lucas says and we all laugh.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. My dad’s calling.
“Excuse me,” I say, walking away to answer.
I catch Dad up on everything—about Sean, the salon, and Lucas. How I want to stay here. How I want to stay with Lucas. I still haven’t said it outright to Lucas yet, but I want my dad to know where my heart is.
“I hope that’s okay, Dad. I know you’re coming here for me. But I feel good here. Gizmo is settled too,” I say, taking a breath. “And Dad… I love him.”
“Bug, of course that’s okay. I just want you to be happy, and if being with him makes you happy, then I’m definitely okay living alone. I’m coming back either way. I want to live closer to you. I’m ready to leave the army for good now. If you change your mind and want to come stay with me, Bug, you’re always welcome. The real estate agent is holding my keys until I can get there—you can pick them up anytime.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m so glad you’re coming back. I knew you’d understand. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Of course. You’re my baby girl. Anyways, I better go. I love you, Bug.”
“I love you, Dad. Bye.”
After my call with Dad, I don’t go back to the table. I shower and start getting ready for bed in Lucas’s bed. It’s where I’ve slept most nights, and last night didn’t feel right without him.
Lying there, my thoughts slip back to Sean, of him lying in that hospital bed. I don’t know how to handle everything. At first, all I wanted was to push Lucas away and run back to live with Dad. That’s the part of me that still whispers I don’t deserve to be happy with Lucas after what happened to Sean.
But the bigger part of me knows I’d be insane to let Lucas go now. I love him too much. I want him, no matter what happens with Sean. That’s the one thing I’m certain of.
I pick up my Kindle and open the new romance novel I’ve been eyeing. I’m still feeling a little down, but better… after being surrounded by my favourite people.
53
I’m yours
I finish the dishes and say goodnight to Danielle and Tyler, who wander down the hall to their rooms together. When I head into mine, I find Camille curled up in my bed, asleep with her Kindle still in her hand. I move quietly around her to have a shower, careful not to wake her.
